Born: July 6, 1794, London, England.
Died: July 18, 1848, probably in Leeds, England.
Buried: St. George’s Fields Cemetery, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Cemetery is now on the campus of the University of Leeds.
Hamilton was the son of minister Frederick Hamilton of Brighton and his wife Martha.
He was educated at a preparatory school at Hammersmith, subsequently an academy at Newport, Isle of Wight, then at Mill Hill School and Hoxton College. In 1809 he drew up a solemn covenant,
devoting himself to the service of his Creator.
In 1810 he entered as a student for the ministry at Hoxton Independent College, and was speedily placed in the highest class of humane letters. He early began to preach, and when only 19 was chosen to deliver the anniversary oration at the college chapel, Hoxton.
In January 1815 he was chosen minister of Albion Independent Chapel, Leeds, and became a popular preacher. He later moved to Belgrave, in Leeds, where he was pastor until his death.
Hamilton contributed hymns to Clapham’s Leeds Sunday School Union Hymn Book, 1833; Leifchild’s Original Hymns, 1842; and the Leeds Hymn Book, 1853. His other works include:
The inscription on Hamilton’s grave (partially illegible):
In memory of Richard Winter Hamilton LLD, D.D. 34 years pastor of the independent church, assembling in Albion and Belgrave chapels, Leeds.
He died July 18th 1848, aged 54 years.
His rare talents, extensive learning and fervent eloquence were consecrated in the glory of God, and the highest interest of man.
As a minister and pastor, he was earnest, affectionate and faithful…as a divine, zealous for sound theology and evangelical truth.
Honoured and beloved for his genuine piety and high principle, the warmth and openness of his heart, his ardent patriotism and love of freedom.
This monument erected by his townsmen as that’s they mourned his death and cherished his memory.